Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
@cathyashley.bsky.social
Chief Exective of the national child welfare charity Family Rights Group www.frg.org.uk
Decent mother, aunt and friend (I hope)
✡️ Trustee of HIAS+JCORE
2009-16 Chair of Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
Salsa dance and run (sort of)
Decent mother, aunt and friend (I hope)
✡️ Trustee of HIAS+JCORE
2009-16 Chair of Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
Salsa dance and run (sort of)
Reposted by Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
BBC News - Two Northumberland Reform councillors suspended - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Two Northumberland Reform councillors suspended
Councillors Nicole Brooke and Patrick Lambert have the whip suspended pending a party investigation.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 30, 2025 at 9:54 PM
BBC News - Two Northumberland Reform councillors suspended - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This Sunday 5.45pm #Lab25 conference. Hear from AJ & Salma, care experienced young people how we can transform our care system so no child is left isolated & alone. Speakers also incl Children's Minister @joshmacalistermp.bsky.social & me.
I promise you it'll be a fringe meeting like no other.
I promise you it'll be a fringe meeting like no other.
Our #BuildNotBreak event at #Lab25 will explore fixing the care system so all children have lasting, loving relationships. New Minister Josh Macalister will speak alongside care leavers Salma and AJ, @cathyashley.bsky.social, Jo Casebourne from Foundations and Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council.
September 27, 2025 at 8:20 AM
This Sunday 5.45pm #Lab25 conference. Hear from AJ & Salma, care experienced young people how we can transform our care system so no child is left isolated & alone. Speakers also incl Children's Minister @joshmacalistermp.bsky.social & me.
I promise you it'll be a fringe meeting like no other.
I promise you it'll be a fringe meeting like no other.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Russia's war crimes include kidnapping Ukrainian children who are taken to sites for patriotic indoctrination, weapons training and combat drills
Russia's war crimes include kidnapping Ukrainian children who are taken to sites for patriotic indoctrination, weapons training and combat drills
Russia has network of 200 camps for ‘brainwashing’ Ukrainian children – report
Investigation uncovers documents and satellite imagery that confirm children being taken to sites for patriotic indoctrination, weapons training and combat drills
www.theguardian.com
September 21, 2025 at 11:34 AM
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Russia's war crimes include kidnapping Ukrainian children who are taken to sites for patriotic indoctrination, weapons training and combat drills
Russia's war crimes include kidnapping Ukrainian children who are taken to sites for patriotic indoctrination, weapons training and combat drills
Reposted by Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
"The Children of Silence" - Chilean babies stolen and adopted by Europeans, thanks to Pinochet. 🥚 #adopteesky
edition.cnn.com/2025/09/16/a...
edition.cnn.com/2025/09/16/a...
Chilean mother reunites with her twin daughters for the first time in 45 years | CNN
A Chilean woman whose twin daughters were stolen from her in 1979 has reunited with them for the first time in four-and-a-half decades.
edition.cnn.com
September 17, 2025 at 11:58 AM
"The Children of Silence" - Chilean babies stolen and adopted by Europeans, thanks to Pinochet. 🥚 #adopteesky
edition.cnn.com/2025/09/16/a...
edition.cnn.com/2025/09/16/a...
A newcNAO report "The cost of supporting looked-after children in residential care almost doubled bet 2019-20 & 2023-24 to £3.1 bn"
Grotesque profiteering at the expense of children, families & the public purse. There's a strong case for a windfall tax on profits from private residential providers.
Grotesque profiteering at the expense of children, families & the public purse. There's a strong case for a windfall tax on profits from private residential providers.
September 12, 2025 at 4:49 PM
A newcNAO report "The cost of supporting looked-after children in residential care almost doubled bet 2019-20 & 2023-24 to £3.1 bn"
Grotesque profiteering at the expense of children, families & the public purse. There's a strong case for a windfall tax on profits from private residential providers.
Grotesque profiteering at the expense of children, families & the public purse. There's a strong case for a windfall tax on profits from private residential providers.
Thr Government should just do this.
A radical, popular step that would transform millions of children & families' lives.
No child should be born into & have to live poverty - it blight lives & our society.
A radical, popular step that would transform millions of children & families' lives.
No child should be born into & have to live poverty - it blight lives & our society.
August 29, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Thr Government should just do this.
A radical, popular step that would transform millions of children & families' lives.
No child should be born into & have to live poverty - it blight lives & our society.
A radical, popular step that would transform millions of children & families' lives.
No child should be born into & have to live poverty - it blight lives & our society.
Reposted by Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
Polling from @Moreincommon_ on Lucy Connolly
More than half think her sentence was too lenient or about right. Only a third that it was too harsh.
Only 18% think politicians should associate themselves her, while 51% think they should actively distance themselves from her.
More than half think her sentence was too lenient or about right. Only a third that it was too harsh.
Only 18% think politicians should associate themselves her, while 51% think they should actively distance themselves from her.
August 29, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Polling from @Moreincommon_ on Lucy Connolly
More than half think her sentence was too lenient or about right. Only a third that it was too harsh.
Only 18% think politicians should associate themselves her, while 51% think they should actively distance themselves from her.
More than half think her sentence was too lenient or about right. Only a third that it was too harsh.
Only 18% think politicians should associate themselves her, while 51% think they should actively distance themselves from her.
Reposted by Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
Today, the Education Select Committee released its latest report on children’s social care in England. It shines a spotlight on the struggles many families are facing—and the urgent need for change. See below how our Chief Executive, Cathy Ashley, has responded to the report.
ow.ly/7MAy50WnEra
ow.ly/7MAy50WnEra
July 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Today, the Education Select Committee released its latest report on children’s social care in England. It shines a spotlight on the struggles many families are facing—and the urgent need for change. See below how our Chief Executive, Cathy Ashley, has responded to the report.
ow.ly/7MAy50WnEra
ow.ly/7MAy50WnEra
Come and work with me!
@familyrightsgp.bsky.social is recruiting an Executive and Policy Assistant.
@familyrightsgp.bsky.social is recruiting an Executive and Policy Assistant.
We're hiring! Are you a highly organised administrator with top-notch research & writing skills? Join Family Rights Group as Executive & Policy Assistant.
Apply now 👉 frg.org.uk/about-us/wor...
Apply now 👉 frg.org.uk/about-us/wor...
frg.org.uk
July 8, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Come and work with me!
@familyrightsgp.bsky.social is recruiting an Executive and Policy Assistant.
@familyrightsgp.bsky.social is recruiting an Executive and Policy Assistant.
Good news for 100,000s of children, parents & #kinship carers - all children in a household on Universal Credit will now be eligible for free school meals
🚨 NEW: Labour is lifting 100,000 children out of poverty by expanding access to free school meals.
Alongside free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniform costs and government-funded childcare, Labour is putting money in parents’ pockets and giving children the best start in life.
Alongside free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniform costs and government-funded childcare, Labour is putting money in parents’ pockets and giving children the best start in life.
June 4, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Good news for 100,000s of children, parents & #kinship carers - all children in a household on Universal Credit will now be eligible for free school meals
Reposted by Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
✈️ Lifelong Links goes international!
We’re excited to share a glimpse from a recent trip to Oslo, where @cathyashley.bsky.social and @pamledward.bsky.social alongside FGC service manager Nicky Pallis, presented Lifelong Links to Norwegian sector leaders.
#LifelongLinks #BuildNotBreak #Norway #Oslo
We’re excited to share a glimpse from a recent trip to Oslo, where @cathyashley.bsky.social and @pamledward.bsky.social alongside FGC service manager Nicky Pallis, presented Lifelong Links to Norwegian sector leaders.
#LifelongLinks #BuildNotBreak #Norway #Oslo
May 27, 2025 at 2:14 PM
✈️ Lifelong Links goes international!
We’re excited to share a glimpse from a recent trip to Oslo, where @cathyashley.bsky.social and @pamledward.bsky.social alongside FGC service manager Nicky Pallis, presented Lifelong Links to Norwegian sector leaders.
#LifelongLinks #BuildNotBreak #Norway #Oslo
We’re excited to share a glimpse from a recent trip to Oslo, where @cathyashley.bsky.social and @pamledward.bsky.social alongside FGC service manager Nicky Pallis, presented Lifelong Links to Norwegian sector leaders.
#LifelongLinks #BuildNotBreak #Norway #Oslo
What an ignorant column in today's @theguardian.com Makes the bizarre assumption that children in care don't have any parents (or presumably families) -& answer to all lies in adoption. No exploration of safely averting children entering care, or reunification, kinship or foster care.
Prospective parents are no longer queuing up to adopt children in care, says Martha Gill via The Observer
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Prospective parents are no longer queuing up to adopt children in care | The Observer
For every young person who finds a new home, 28 are left desperately hoping for parents – and the cost of living crisis is often to blame
observer.co.uk
May 25, 2025 at 7:34 PM
What an ignorant column in today's @theguardian.com Makes the bizarre assumption that children in care don't have any parents (or presumably families) -& answer to all lies in adoption. No exploration of safely averting children entering care, or reunification, kinship or foster care.
Reposted by Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
In a new blog for Children & Young People Now, FRG Chief Exec @cathyashley.bsky.social and @childrenfirst.bsky.social Chief Exec @margl24.bsky.social tell us to take a step back and reimagine how we support children and families in need.
Read the full blog here: www.cypnow.co.uk/content/blog...
Read the full blog here: www.cypnow.co.uk/content/blog...
Taking the long view on family-group decision-making - CYP Now
Tackling the serious challenges facing children and young people can feel overwhelming, and conversations about what we can do about it can feel like they go round in circles.
www.cypnow.co.uk
April 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
In a new blog for Children & Young People Now, FRG Chief Exec @cathyashley.bsky.social and @childrenfirst.bsky.social Chief Exec @margl24.bsky.social tell us to take a step back and reimagine how we support children and families in need.
Read the full blog here: www.cypnow.co.uk/content/blog...
Read the full blog here: www.cypnow.co.uk/content/blog...
Reposted by Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
"At least 23 children and 9 aid workers reportedly killed in Al Fasher, Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps in North Darfur, Sudan" @unicef.org
www.unicef.org/press-releas...
www.unicef.org/press-releas...
At least 23 children and 9 aid workers reportedly killed in Al Fasher, Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps in North Darfur, Sudan
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell
www.unicef.org
April 13, 2025 at 2:49 PM
"At least 23 children and 9 aid workers reportedly killed in Al Fasher, Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps in North Darfur, Sudan" @unicef.org
www.unicef.org/press-releas...
www.unicef.org/press-releas...
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan have killed the entire staff of the beseiged Zamzam camp's last medical clinic & killed at least 100 camp residents.
My friend's sisters & little children are in this camp in Western Darfur.
#Sudan
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/w...
My friend's sisters & little children are in this camp in Western Darfur.
#Sudan
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/w...
Sudan Clinic Workers Killed in Zamzam Camp
Relief International said nine employees were killed when gunmen stormed the Zamzam camp in El Fasher, in the western Darfur region.
www.nytimes.com
April 13, 2025 at 11:10 AM
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan have killed the entire staff of the beseiged Zamzam camp's last medical clinic & killed at least 100 camp residents.
My friend's sisters & little children are in this camp in Western Darfur.
#Sudan
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/w...
My friend's sisters & little children are in this camp in Western Darfur.
#Sudan
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/w...
Reposted by Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
🎬 New Film Alert!
Parents with learning difficulties often face barriers navigating children’s services. Our new film with
@SpeakupSA explains:
🔹 How social workers should communicate
🔹 Key processes & terms
🔹 Support you can seek
📽️ Watch here: ow.ly/iZf950VtS83
Parents with learning difficulties often face barriers navigating children’s services. Our new film with
@SpeakupSA explains:
🔹 How social workers should communicate
🔹 Key processes & terms
🔹 Support you can seek
📽️ Watch here: ow.ly/iZf950VtS83
April 3, 2025 at 1:49 PM
🎬 New Film Alert!
Parents with learning difficulties often face barriers navigating children’s services. Our new film with
@SpeakupSA explains:
🔹 How social workers should communicate
🔹 Key processes & terms
🔹 Support you can seek
📽️ Watch here: ow.ly/iZf950VtS83
Parents with learning difficulties often face barriers navigating children’s services. Our new film with
@SpeakupSA explains:
🔹 How social workers should communicate
🔹 Key processes & terms
🔹 Support you can seek
📽️ Watch here: ow.ly/iZf950VtS83
Huge kudos to pupils & teachers @elmgreenschool.bsky.social for participating in #SchoolSwapUKtoUSA on @channel4tv.bsky.social Definitely worth watching. Would love to know what you think. My daughter went to Elmgreen School & i helped set it up.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
School Swap: UK to USA review – full of beautiful moments that make you cry big, blobby tears
This exchange between teens from south London and Trump-loving Arkansas is funny, touching and hugely eye-opening – in ways you do not expect
www.theguardian.com
March 12, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Huge kudos to pupils & teachers @elmgreenschool.bsky.social for participating in #SchoolSwapUKtoUSA on @channel4tv.bsky.social Definitely worth watching. Would love to know what you think. My daughter went to Elmgreen School & i helped set it up.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Reposted by Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
Thanks to MPs & Peers on @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social
for raising the challenges some kinship families are facing booking appointments for the children they are raising to receive crucial therapeutic support. Government must confirm funding ASAP.
@melanieonnmp.bsky.social @munirawilson.bsky.social
for raising the challenges some kinship families are facing booking appointments for the children they are raising to receive crucial therapeutic support. Government must confirm funding ASAP.
@melanieonnmp.bsky.social @munirawilson.bsky.social
The ambiguity around funding beyond March for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund is leaving kinship families in limbo.
Last week the APPG's officers wrote to Children's Minister @janetdaby.bsky.social about ensuring children in kinship care can access essential therapeutic support.
Last week the APPG's officers wrote to Children's Minister @janetdaby.bsky.social about ensuring children in kinship care can access essential therapeutic support.
March 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Thanks to MPs & Peers on @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social
for raising the challenges some kinship families are facing booking appointments for the children they are raising to receive crucial therapeutic support. Government must confirm funding ASAP.
@melanieonnmp.bsky.social @munirawilson.bsky.social
for raising the challenges some kinship families are facing booking appointments for the children they are raising to receive crucial therapeutic support. Government must confirm funding ASAP.
@melanieonnmp.bsky.social @munirawilson.bsky.social
Last chance to book - don't miss this event celebrating 50 years of @familyrightsgp.bsky.social Baroness Hale reflecting on the past 50 years of child welfare & family justice in England & Wales- & exploring the next 50. Plus reception & dinner with Sir Andrew McFarlane & Rt Hon Alan Johnson
March 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Last chance to book - don't miss this event celebrating 50 years of @familyrightsgp.bsky.social Baroness Hale reflecting on the past 50 years of child welfare & family justice in England & Wales- & exploring the next 50. Plus reception & dinner with Sir Andrew McFarlane & Rt Hon Alan Johnson
A big win for @familyrightsgp.bsky.social - the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill requires English local authorities to publish a kinship local offer setting out what support is available for kinship care households. But we need the Government to go further- read how frg.org.uk/news-blogs-a...
March 7, 2025 at 8:13 AM
A big win for @familyrightsgp.bsky.social - the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill requires English local authorities to publish a kinship local offer setting out what support is available for kinship care households. But we need the Government to go further- read how frg.org.uk/news-blogs-a...
Reposted by Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦
NEW PROJECT 🚀 We're also launching a new project with
Coram & @familyrightsgp.bsky.social, to help improve understanding of how families experience #FamilyGroupConferences & develop recommendations on how to achieve more equitable access 🌟
Find out more: foundations.org.uk/our-work/cur...
Coram & @familyrightsgp.bsky.social, to help improve understanding of how families experience #FamilyGroupConferences & develop recommendations on how to achieve more equitable access 🌟
Find out more: foundations.org.uk/our-work/cur...
March 4, 2025 at 10:53 AM
NEW PROJECT 🚀 We're also launching a new project with
Coram & @familyrightsgp.bsky.social, to help improve understanding of how families experience #FamilyGroupConferences & develop recommendations on how to achieve more equitable access 🌟
Find out more: foundations.org.uk/our-work/cur...
Coram & @familyrightsgp.bsky.social, to help improve understanding of how families experience #FamilyGroupConferences & develop recommendations on how to achieve more equitable access 🌟
Find out more: foundations.org.uk/our-work/cur...